Receiving device for the transmission of pictures



1951 L. R. BOURGONJON ET AL 2,570,313

RECEIVING DEVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF PICTURES Filed April 50, 1948 INVENTORS LOUIS RAYMOND BOURGONJON ALEXANDRE HOROWITZ DERK KLEIS FLORUS CORNELIS WILLEM SLOOFF MARTINUS VAN TOL JACOB MARINUS UNK ATTORNEY,

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECEIVING DEVICE FOR THE TRANS- MISSION OF' PICTURES Conn., as trustee Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 24,246 In the Netherlands May 2, 1947 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to receiving devices for image transmission in which the image is produced on a film moving along the recording device. In this case the image may be produced on the film, for example, by photographic means, the film for this purpose being provided with a photosensitive layer and scanned by a light beam, modulated by image signals, for example in parallel paths at right angles to the direction of movement of the film. Subsequently the exposed film is developed.

It is, in this case, frequently desirable to have the film, prior to development, cut into pieces of approximately equal length and this must, of course, be effected in such manner that the film is cut precisely between two images, independently of the position of the images on the film.

This may be achieved by providing on or in the film, for example, marks in form of punched holes or notches in those parts of the film which are located between two successive images; at these marks the film is afterwards cut off. Also for other purposes it may be desirable to provide marks at each recorded image, for example, if it is desired to have the movement of the film automatically stopped when images are no longer recorded, or if it is desired to copy with a completely automatic device. The marking device to be used may be adapted to operate automatically and to be controlled by a signal emitted at the transmitter side during the interval between the transmission of two successive images. However, difficulties are then involved, since the said part of the film is located in the scanning space at the beginning of the recording operation, i. e. when the mark is required to be provided, and it is in general not possible, for mechanical reasons, to arrange in addition a marking device in the said space. Since it is furthermore of paramount importanee that the film should pass along the scanning device at constant speed, it is not advisable to provide the marks at this area. Consequently, the mark is required to be provided outside the device for recording the image. In order to ensure, nevertheless, that a mark is provided at the beginning of each image, the marking device comprises, according to the invention, a first marking member which provides, under the action of the said signal, a mark in the film at an area which has already passed by the area at which the image is or will instantaneously be recorded, near the path of the film provision being made of a contact device which is operated when, during the movement of the film, the marked area passes the contact device. The

latter actuates a second marking member which provides a mark at that area of the film at which the recording of an image has started or ended. The first mark may be indicated as a preliminary mark and the second as a definite mark. The definite mark must be applied in such manner as to be not located in the path of the preliminary mark.

The definite mark may, for example, serve to control a cutting device for the film hand. For this purpose such a device may be actuated under the action of a second contact device provided near the path of the film and which responds when, during the further movement of the film, the area of the film marked by the second marking member passes the second contact device. The device may be readily constructed in such manner that the film is invariably out between.

two successive images.

According to the invention, if it is desired to cut pieces of definite length having a plurality of images instead of each image separately, provision is made for this purpose of means which will be further described hereinafter.

The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows the mechanical part of the apparatus according to the invention (all parts which are not essential to the invention being omitted). Fig. 2 shows the electrical circuit-diagram.

Referring to Fig. 1, reference numeral 2| designates a film on which the transmitted images are recorded in succession by photographic means. This film is subsequently cut into definite parts of approximately equal length, which are conveyed to a developing device for photographic pictures (not shown). Since the dimensions of the recorded images in the direction of length of the film are not always the same and since, furthermore, the distances between successive images may vary, the portions cannot be of exactly the same length if it is desired to have the film invariably cut between two successive images. Consequently, according to the invention, Drovision is made of particular means whichensure that the cutting operation is invariably carried out between two successive images.

The unexposed film is drawn, with the use of means which will be described more fully hereinafter, from a drum 22, passes over a roller 23, passes by a scanning device 29 and moves on between pairs of rollers 24 and 25. Arranged between these pairs of rollers are the two marking devices P1 and P2 which, on becoming operative,

provide the film with a mark, for example, a hole or a notch. Furthermore a contact device a2 arranged alongside the path of the film becomes operative when the marked part of the film passes by, for example, by means of a resiliently arranged membe slipping at that instant through the hole or the notch, thus closing a contact. A similar contact member an is arranged beyond the pair of rollers 25. At this area is furthermore arranged the cutting device Sch, which may comprise a pair of scissors 28. The film is exposed at A. A device 29 serves to move the modulated light beam in parallel paths at right angles to the film and for this purpose it is rotatable about a shaft parallel to the longitudinal direction of the film. Driving is ensured by an electric motor M.

The device shown in Fig. 1, roughly speaking, operates as follows:

When the signal emitted between two images ceases and, consequently, the recording of the image starts, the relay RLG becomes de-energized. so that the device P1 becomes operative with the result that, for xample, a hole is punched in the film. When during the further movement of the film this hole reaches the area of the contact member a2, a circuit is closed which comprises the winding of the punching member P2, so that a second hole or notch is formed in the film, pref erably, however, in a manner diiferent from the first, so that the two marks may be distinguished from one another. If provisions are made that the distance-between the exposure area A and the punching'member P1 is equal to the distance between the contact member (12 and the punching member P2, the second mark is provided exactly at the beginning of each recorded image. Fhis is variably the case, even if the movement of the film is not quite uniform. The said second marl: may thus serve to control a second contact member :11, which is included in a control circuit of the cutting device Sch.

If no further steps were taken, each image would be cut off separately, since the signal which on ceasing actuates the punching member P1 is repeated after each image. However, it is, as'a rule, desirable to cut off a definite length of say 50 cms. of the film, comprising a plurality of images. Furthermore the transport must be stopped-if exactly before the cutting operation a film portion of about 50 cms. of length comprising no images has passed the point A, so that there are no further exposed images in the receiver, whereas the film transport must be resumed as soon as an image appears.

These purposes are served by the contact devices driven by a shaft 3! shown in Fig. l. The electrical diagram of these devices is shown in Fig. 2, which furthermore shows the energizing circuits for the punching and cutting members already described.

Through a worm gear 4! and a coupling 30, the shaft 3! of Fig. 1 is driven by the same electric motor M, which also serves to drive the scanning device. The coupling 30 is an electrical coupling which becomes inoperative as soon as the winding K1 becomes conductive. The film 2! is also moved onwards from the shaft 3|. This is carried out by driving wheels 32 and 33, the latter of which is coupled to one of the wheels 24, for example, by means of gear-wheel transmission. The said shaft 3! furthermore carries a driving wheel 35, which is coupled to one of the driving rollers 25. The movement by the rollers 25 is slightly more rapid than that by the rollers 24,

to such an extent that the rollers 25 exhibit a slight slip, the film thus being constantly kept taut between the said pairs of rollers. The shaft 3! has furthermore seated on it a cam disc the cam of which successively actuates the contact members '01, b2 and b3 when the disc turns. The shaft 3! is furthermore coupled, through an electrical coupling 31, to a shaft 39, the latter being only driven by the shaft 31 when the wineing K2 of the coupling 3? is energized. The shaft 39 can only be turned through a definite angle and returns, on being released, under the action of a spring 40 until it engages an abutment. It furthermore carries a cam disc 38, the cam of which actuates in succession contact members at and e when the shaft turns.

Connected between the conductors l and 2 of Fig. 2 is a voltage source which supplies the energising current for the punching and cutting members, for a number of relays R111 to RLs and RLv, for the windings K1 and K2 and for two pilot lamps L1 and L2. The voltage of this source is, for example, 12 volts. The contacts of the relays are designated by the same reference numerals as the windings thereof. The numerals l to-2:'l of Figs. 1 and 2 have reference to identical points of contact in the circuit. Fig. 2 also shows the contacts which are controlled in Fig. l, by the cam discs and the holes punched in thefilm.

The operation of this part of the device is as follows:

If, at the transmitter end, an image is not scanned, so that no image signals proper are emitted, a special signal is emitted, which, upon reception, produces at the receiver end, between the terminals IT and I8 of Fig. 2, a current which causes the relay RLs to respond. When the scanning of an-image at the transmitter end starts, this signal ceases and the relay RLG is de-ener gised, so that the contact of RLS reaches-the position shown in Fig. 2 and the punching device P1 is operated. The arrangement may readily baconstructed in such manner that the punching member, after having punched a hole or a notch in the film, returns to its initial position, so that the movement of the film isnot hindered by the punching member.

After the film has moved over a given distance, the hole punched by P1 passes by the contact member as, which is then closed, so that the punching member P2 becomes operative and, furthermore, the relay RLs responds. Consequently, a second hole or notch is punchedin the film, preferably in the opposite margin, so that the contact member (12 does not respond when this second hole passes by the member as.

The cam disc 35 serves to ensure that invariably definite portions of the film of about 50 cms. of length are cut off since, when a lengthof film of about 50 cms. has been wound off, the camof the disc 35 has turned to such an extent that the contact In is closed. Thus the relay RLr is energized and retains its energy through the contact R-L1. Consequently, RL1 continues to be conductive till the relay RL3 responds and opens the circuit of RL1. The response of RL1, moreover, initiates the closure of the circuits of K2, BL? and of Sch and RLs. When the next punching hole has arrived at or, the contact on is closed and K2 becomes energized. The circuit of K2 remains closed even when the punching hole has passed (11, since at the same time the'relay RL7 responds, which maintains itself energized through its contact RM. The disc 38 sets rotating and closes, at a given instant, the contact (1, thus closing: the

circuit of the cutting member Sch, which had been initiated by the response of R111, with the result that the film is cut off. The position of the contact d is chosen to be such that contact takes place exactly at the instant when the punched hole, which brought about the closure of a1, has arrived under the pair of scissors. Consequently, cutting oil cannot take place before the contact in is closed and about 50' cms. of film has passed by the pair of scissors. The relay RLs is connected in parallel with the winding of Sch, so that, in addition, this relay responds and the relay RL1 is again de-energized. Consequently, the coupling 3! becomes interrupted and the disc 38 returns to its initial position. The winding K1 invariably remains non-energized, so that the disc 35 continues rotating, thus at first contact member In and then b; becoming operative. The former has no effect, since RLr has become deenergized. The effect of the closure of be will be evident from the following. When the disc 35 has reached its initial position, the original state is restored and the operation described may start again.

If, after about 50 cms. of film has passed, the contact bi is closed and the relay RL1 responds, with the film having no marks, however, the contact or will not be closed. The next operation depends upon the position of the relay RLz. If since the cutting of the film neither of the punches P1, P2 has been operative, this shows that there are no images on the film which is still in the receiver. The contact of RLs in the circuit of RLz is thus open and the relay RL2 is not energised. If, after in has been closed, the maximum length of image plus the distance between or and Sch has passed by, the contact member be is actuated. The relay R114, which was energized through b2, R111 and 2, thus becomes interrupted, so that the contact RL4 arrives at the position shown and the winding K1 becomes energized. The coupling 38 is then interrupted and the film transport stops. In addition, the scissors Sch cut the film and the relay RLl becomes de-energised.

If, on the contrary, the relay RLe is energised, which means that there are, indeed, images in the receiver, R114 will not be de-energised when 112 is closed. The film is in this case out off, it is true, but the film transport continues. If, subsequently, be is temporarily opened, so that RLz is de-energised, RL4 remain energised through the contacts RL4 and RL1 and the transport is not interrupted.

The contact In interrupts the circuit of RL2 once during each revolution of the shaft 3i thus de-energising RLz. Then RL2 becomes again energized by the next punching operation through the contacts of R115 and RLe and maintains itself in the energised position. The contact e is a safety contact which stops the transport if the arrangement described should be disturbed.

After the film transport has been stopped by the contact be in the manner above described, it is resumed when the special signal ceases, which is emitted when no image signals proper are emitted. The relay RLG is then de-energised again, so that the punching device P1 becomes operative. Subsequently, the relay RL2 is reenergised and then the relay RL4, which remains energized through its contact R114. Consequently, the film transport is resumed.

The relay RLz is de-energised immediately after the start of the film transport, since he is actuated immediately after b2.

What we claim is:

1. A receiving device for image transmission, in which the images are produced with space portions therebetween on a reproduction film moving in a predetermined path, and said path in one part thereof being along an image recording device, comprising; a film marking device for producing a pair of marks on said reproduction film, transmission means including a device for scanning the original film to be reproduced, means for controlling operation of said reproduction film marking device, said last-named means being responsive to a signal which is produced by said transmission scanner device when said space portions of said original film between two successive images is scanned, said marking device comprising; a first marking member constructed and arranged to produce a mark in said reproduction film at an area remote from a limiting edge of said image, a contact device arranged near said path of said reproduction film for sensing when said mark passes by said contact device, a second marking member, and means responsive to said sensing action by said contact device for actuating said second marking member to produce a second mark in that area of said reproduction film at which the recording of the image is limited.

2. A receiving device for image transmission, in which the images are produced with space portions therebetween on a reproduction film moving in a predetermined path, and said path in one part thereof being along an image recording device, comprising; a film marking device for producing a pair of marks on said reproduction film, transmission means including a device for scanning the original film to be reproduced, means for controlling operation of said reproduction film marking device, said last-named means being responsive to a signal which is produced by said transmission scanner device when portions of said original film between two successive images is scanned, said marking device comprising; a first marking member constructed and arranged to produce a mark in said reproduction film at an area remote from a limiting edge of said image, a contact device arranged near said path of said reproduction film for sensing when said mark passes by said contact device, a second marking member, and means responsive to said sensing action by said contact device for actuating said second marking member to produce a second mark in that area of said reproduction film at which the recording of the image is limited; cutting means for said reproduction film, and means for actuating said cutting means, said actuating means being responsive to said second mark.

3. A receiving device for image transmission, in which the images are produced with space portions therebetween on a reproduction film moving in a predetermined path, and said path in one part thereof being along an image recording device, comprising; a film marking device for producing a pairof marks on said reproduction film, transmission means including a device for scanning the original film to be reproduced, means for controlling operation of said reproduction film marking device, said last-named means being responsive to a signal which is'produced by said transmission scanner device when portions of said original film between two successive image is scanned, said marking device comprising; a first marking member constructed and arranged to produce a mark in said reproduction film at an area remote from a limiting edge of said image, a contact device arranged near said path of said reproduction film for sensing when said mark passes by said contact device, a second marking member, and means responsive to said sensing action by said contact device for actuating said second marking member to produce a second mark in that area of said reproduction film at which the recording of the image is limited; cutting means for said reproduction film, means for actuating said cutting means, said actuating means including a contact device engageable with and responsive to said second mark.

4. A receiving device for image transmission, in which the images are produced with space portions therebetween on a reproduction film moving in a predetermined path, and said path in one part thereof being along an image recording device, comprising: means for moving said reproduction film in said predetermined path, a film marking device for producing a pair of marks on said reproduction film, a transmission means including a device for scanning the original film to be reproduced, means for controlling operation of said reproduction film marking device, said last-named means being responsive to a signal which is produced by said transmission scanner device when space portions of said original film between two successive images is scanned, said marking device comprising; a first marking member constructed and arranged to produce a mark in said reproduction film at an area remote from a limiting edge of said image, a contact device arranged near said path of said reproduction film for sensing when said mark passes by said contact device, a second marking member, and means responsive to said sensing action by said contact device for actuating said second marking member to produce a second mark in that area of said reproduction film at which the recording of the image is limited; and means for rendering said reproduction film moving means inoperative when no recorded images are sensed by said scanning device.

LOUIS RAYMOND BOURGONJON.

ALEXANDRE HOROWITZ.

FLORUS CORNELIS WILLEM SLOOFF.

JACOB MARINUS UNK.

DERK KLEIS.

MARTINUS VAN TOL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,859,165 Porter et a1 May 17, 1932 1,884,755 Krum Oct. 25, 1932 

